Diarylcycloalkyl derivatives, processes for their preparation and their use as pharmaceuticals

ABSTRACT

Diarylcycloalkyl derivatives and their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives are disclosed. The compounds include those of formula I,  
                 
in which the radicals are as defined, and their physiologically acceptable salts and processes for their preparation. The compounds typically have lipid- and/or triglyceride-lowering properties and are suitable, for example, for the treatment of disorders of lipid metabolism, of type II diabetes, and of syndrome X.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/631,867, filed on Aug. 1, 2003, herebyincorporated by reference, which is a continuation in part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/231,432, filed on Aug. 30, 2002. Thepresent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of GermanApplication Nos. 10142734.4 and 10223273.3, filed Aug. 31, 2001 and May24, 2002, respectively, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

DESCRIPTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to diarylcycloalkyl derivatives and to theirphysiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functionalderivatives.

2. Background of the Invention

Compounds of similar structure have already been described in the priorart for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and diabetes (PCT/US00/11490).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide compounds having atherapeutically exploitable triglyceride-lowering action and a favorableeffect on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, such as for syndromes ofdyslipidemias, type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome/syndrome X.Another object of the invention is to provide compounds having improvedaction compared with the compounds of PCT/US00/14490. The compounds ofthe invention may activate the PPARα receptor.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound offormula I

in which

-   Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkenyl where, in the    cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl rings, one or more carbon atoms may be    replaced by oxygen atoms;-   R1, R2, R4, R5 independently of one another are H, F, Cl, Br, OH,    NO₂, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;-   Y is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;    and its physiologically acceptable salts.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound offormula Ia

wherein

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R2 independently of one another are H, F, Cl, Br, OH, NO₂, CN,    CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;-   Y is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;    and its physiologically acceptable salts.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to apharmaceutical, comprising at least one of the above compounds orphysiologically acceptable salts and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

In still another aspect, the present invention is directed to apharmaceutical, comprising at least one of the above compounds orphysiologically acceptable salts, at least one further active compound,and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to apharmaceutical, comprising at least one of the above compounds orphysiologically acceptable salts, at least one lipid- ortriglyceride-lowering active compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

The present invention is also directed to a method of treating a lipidmetabolism disorder, type II diabetes, syndrome X, disturbed glucosetolerance, eating disorders, obesity, cardiomyopathy, cardiacinsufficiency, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, orinflammation, comprising administering to a host in need of suchtreatment an effective amount of at least one the above compounds orphysiologically acceptable salts.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating a lipid metabolism disorder, type II diabetes, or syndrome X,comprising administering to a host in need of such treatment aneffective amount of a combination of at least one of the above compoundsor physiologically acceptable salts and at least one further activecompound.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a process forpreparing a pharmaceutical, comprising mixing at least one of the abovecompounds or physiologically acceptable salts with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier to form a mixture and bringing this mixture into aform suitable for administration to form the pharmaceutical.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the various embodiments of the presentinvention only and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, noattempt is made to show details of the invention in more detail than isnecessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, thedescription making apparent to those skilled in the art how the severalforms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

Unless otherwise stated, a reference to a compound or component,includes the compound or component by itself, as well as in combinationwith other compounds or components, such as mixtures of compounds.

The invention relates to compounds of formula I

in which

-   Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkenyl where, in the    cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl rings, one or more carbon atoms may be    replaced by oxygen atoms;-   R1, R2, R4, R5 independently of one another are H, F, Cl, Br, OH,    NO₂, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;-   Y is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;    and their physiologically acceptable salts.

The invention also includes compounds of formula I in which

-   Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkenyl where, in the    cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl rings, one or more carbon atoms may be    replaced by oxygen atoms;-   R1, R2, R4 independently of one another are H, F, Cl, Br, OH, NO₂,    CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R5 is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;-   Y is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;    and their physiologically acceptable salts.

The invention further includes compounds of formula I in which

-   Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkenyl;-   R1, R2 independently of one another are H, F, Cl, Br, OH, NO₂, CN,    CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;-   Y is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;    and their physiologically acceptable salts.

One embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formula Iand their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl;-   R1, R2, R4, R5, independently of one another, are H, F, Cl, Br, CF₃,    OCF₃, CN, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R3 is H or CH₃;    -   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is        replaced by an oxygen atom;-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R2 are, independently of one another, H, F, Cl, Br, CF₃, OCF₃,    CN, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R3, R4, R5 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is H, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R2 is H, F, Cl, Br, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, CH₃, or OCH₃.-   R3, R4, R5 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R3, R4, are, independently of one another, H;-   R2 is H, F, Cl, Br, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R3 are, independently of one another, H;-   R2 is H, F, Cl, Br, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R4 is CH₃; and-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is H, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R2 is H, F, Cl, CF₃, OCF₃, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R3 is H;-   R4 is H or CH₃; and-   R5 is CH₃;-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is H or CH₃;-   R2 is F, OCF₃, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R3 is H;-   R4 is H or CH₃; and-   R5 is CH₃;-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is H;-   R2 is F, OCF₃, CH₃, or OCH₃;-   R3 is H;-   R4 is H or CH₃; and-   R5 is CH₃;-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl;-   R1, R2, R4, R5, independently of one another, are H, F, Cl, Br, OH,    NO₂, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R2, R4, R5 are, independently of one another, H, F, Cl, Br, OH,    NO₂, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R2, R4, R5 are, independently of one another, H, CF₃, OCF₃,    (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and-   R3 is H or CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is H, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₃)-alkyl;-   R2, R3, R4 are, independently of one another, H or (Q₁-C₃)-alkyl;    and-   R5 is H or CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is CF₃, OCF₃, OCH₃; or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl;-   R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃;-   R4 is (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and-   R5 is H or CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is CF₃, or OCF₃-   R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃;-   R4 is CH₃; and-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is OCH₃; or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl;-   R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃;-   R4 is (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is CH₃; and-   R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃;-   R4 is (C₂-C₃)-alkyl.-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is OCH₃; and-   R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃;-   R4 is CH₃ or C₃-alkyl.-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formulaI and their physiologically acceptable salts in which:

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1 is C₃-alkyl; and-   R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃;-   R4 is CH₃.-   R5 is CH₃.-   X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom; and-   Y is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is    replaced by an oxygen atom.

The invention also includes compounds of formula Ia

wherein

-   Ring A is cyclohexyl;-   R1, R2 independently of one another are H, F, Cl, Br, OH, NO₂, CN,    CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;-   X is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;-   Y is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one or more carbon    atoms may be replaced by oxygen atoms;    and their physiologically acceptable salts.

The invention embraces compounds of formula I in the form of theirracemates, racemic mixtures and pure enantiomers, and also theirdiastereomers and mixtures thereof.

The alkyl radicals in the substituents R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 can bestraight-chain or branched.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for medical applicationsbecause of their greater solubility in water compared with the startingor base compounds. These salts must have a pharmaceutically acceptableanion or cation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable acid additionsalts of the compounds of the invention are salts of inorganic acidssuch as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric,nitric and sulfuric acids, and of organic acids such as, for example,acetic acid, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric,gluconic, glycolic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, maleic, malic,methanesulfonic, succinic, p-toluenesulfonic and tartaric acids.Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts are ammonium salts,alkali metal salts (such as sodium and potassium salts) and alkalineearth metal salts (such as magnesium and calcium salts).

Salts with a pharmaceutically unacceptable anion such as, for example,trifluoroacetate likewise belong within the scope of the invention asuseful intermediates for the preparation or purification ofpharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or for use in nontherapeutic, forexample in vitro, applications.

The term “physiologically functional derivative” used herein refers toany physiologically tolerated derivative of a compound of formula I ofthe invention, for example, an ester which is able, on administration toa mammal such as, for example, a human, to form (directly or indirectly)a compound of formula I or an active metabolite thereof.

Physiologically functional derivatives also include prodrugs of thecompounds of the invention, as described, for example, in H. Okada etal., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1994, 42, 57-61. Such prodrugs can bemetabolized in vivo to a compound of the invention. These prodrugs maythemselves have activity or not.

The compounds of the invention may also exist in various polymorphousforms, for example as amorphous and crystalline polymorphous forms. Allpolymorphous forms of the compounds of the invention belong within thescope of the invention and are a further aspect of the invention.

All references hereinafter to “compound(s) of formula I” refer tocompound(s) of formula I as described above, and to the salts, solvatesand physiologically functional derivatives thereof as described herein.

The amount of a compound of formula I necessary to achieve the desiredbiological effect depends on a number of factors, for example thespecific compound chosen, the intended use, the mode of administrationand the clinical condition of the patient. The daily dose is generallyin the range from about 0.3 mg to 100 mg (typically from about 3 mg to50 mg) per day and per kilogram of body weight, for example about 3-10mg/kg/day. An intravenous dose may be, for example, in the range fromabout 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg/kg, which can suitably be administered as aninfusion of about 10 ng to 100 ng per kilogram per minute. Suitableinfusion solutions for these purposes may contain, for example, fromabout 0.1 ng to 10 mg, typically from about 1 ng to 10 mg, permilliliter. Single doses may contain, for example, from about 1 mg to 10g of the active compound. Thus, ampoules for injections may contain, forexample, from about 1 mg to 100 mg, and single-dose formulations whichcan be administered orally, such as, for example, capsules or tablets,may contain, for example, from about 1.0 to 1000 mg, typically fromabout 10 to 600 mg. For the therapy of the abovementioned conditions,the compounds of formula I may be used as the compound itself, but theymay be in the form of a pharmaceutical composition with an acceptablecarrier. The carrier is acceptable in the sense that it is compatiblewith the other ingredients of the composition and is not harmful to thepatient's health. The carrier may be a solid or a liquid or both and isoften formulated with the compound as a single dose, for example as atablet, which may contain from about 0.05% to 95% by weight of theactive compound. Other pharmaceutically active substances may likewisebe present, including other compounds of formula I. The pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention can be produced by one of the knownpharmaceutical methods, which may essentially consist of mixing theingredients with pharmacologically acceptable carriers and/orexcipients.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include those suitable fororal, rectal, topical, peroral (for example sublingual) and parenteral(for example subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intravenous)administration, although the most suitable mode of administrationdepends in each individual case on the nature and severity of thecondition to be treated and on the nature of the compound of formula Iused in each case. Coated formulations and coated slow-releaseformulations also belong within the framework of the invention.Preference is given to acid- and gastric juice-resistant formulations.Suitable coatings resistant to gastric juice comprise cellulose acetatephthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulosephthalate and anionic polymers of methacrylic acid and methylmethacrylate.

Suitable pharmaceutical compounds for oral administration may be in theform of separate units such as, for example, capsules, wafers, suckabletablets or tablets, each of which contain a defined amount of thecompound of formula I; as powders or granules, as solution or suspensionin an aqueous or nonaqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water orwater-in-oil emulsion. These compositions may, as already mentioned, beprepared by any suitable pharmaceutical method which includes a step inwhich the active compound and the carrier (which may consist of one ormore additional ingredients) are brought into contact. The compositionsare generally produced by uniform and homogeneous mixing of the activecompound with a liquid and/or finely divided solid carrier, after whichthe product is shaped if necessary. Thus, for example, a tablet can beproduced by compressing or molding a powder or granules of the compound,where appropriate with one or more additional ingredients. Compressedtablets can be produced by tableting the compound in free-flowing formsuch as, for example, a powder or granules, where appropriate mixed witha binder, glidant, inert diluent and/or one or moresurface-active/dispersing agent(s) in a suitable machine. Molded tabletscan be produced by molding the compound which is in powder form and ismoistened with an inert liquid diluent in a suitable machine.

Pharmaceutical compositions which are suitable for peroral (sublingual)administration comprise suckable tablets which contain a compound offormula I with a flavoring, normally sucrose and gum arabic ortragacanth, and pastilles which comprise the compound in an inert basesuch as gelatin and glycerol or sucrose and gum arabic.

The pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administrationmay comprise sterile aqueous preparations of a compound of formula I,which may be isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Thesepreparations may be administered intravenously, although administrationmay also take place by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermalinjection. These preparations can be produced by mixing the compoundwith water and making the resulting solution sterile and isotonic withblood. Injectable compositions of the invention generally contain fromabout 0.1 to 5% by weight of the active compound.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for rectal administration may be inthe form of single-dose suppositories. These can be produced by mixing acompound of formula I with one or more conventional solid carriers, forexample cocoa butter, and shaping the resulting mixture.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for topical use on the skin may bein the form of an ointment, cream, lotion, paste, spray, aerosol or oil.Carriers which can be used are petrolatum, lanolin, polyethyleneglycols, alcohols and combinations of two or more of these substances.The active compound is generally present in a concentration of fromabout 0.1 to 15% by weight of the composition, for example from about0.5 to 2%.

Transdermal administration is also possible. Pharmaceutical compositionssuitable for transdermal uses can be in the form of single plasterswhich are suitable for long-term close contact with the patient'sepidermis. Such plasters suitably contain the active compound in anaqueous solution which is buffered where appropriate, dissolved and/ordispersed in an adhesive or dispersed in a polymer. A suitable activecompound concentration is about 1% to 35% by weight, or about 3% to 15%.A possibility is for the active compound to be released byelectrotransport or iontophoresis as described, for example, inPharmaceutical Research, 2(6): 318 (1986).

The invention furthermore provides a process for preparing the compoundsof formula I which comprises obtaining the compounds of formula I byproceeding in accordance with the reaction scheme below:

To this end, compounds of formula A in which R1, R2, R4 and X have themeanings given above are reacted with NaI in acetone with heating atreflux for about 12 to 24 hours, giving a compound of formula B.

The compound of formula B is reacted with a compound of formula C inwhich n and m are each 0-5, giving a compound of formula E in which R1,R2, R4, m, n and X have the meanings described above. Here, (a) C isdeprotonated at room temperature in an inert solvent such asdimethylformamide or tetrahydrofuran using sodium hydride and thenreacted at about 70° C. with the halide, or (b) component C is initiallyheated with dibutyltin oxide in toluene on a water separator for anumber of hours and then, with addition of dimethylformamide, cesiumfluoride and iodide B, converted into E by stirring at room temperaturefor a number of hours, such as between about 10 and 14 hours, preferablyovernight.

The compound of formula E is, using a compound of formula D in which Yis as described above, converted into a compound of formula F in whichR1, R2, R4, R5, X and Y have the meanings described above. To form anether bond, E is deprotonated, for example in a mixture ofdimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran using a strong base such as Nahydride at room temperature, and then alkylated with a component D,often with addition of Na iodide.

The compound of formula F is converted into compounds of formula I byhydrolyzing the ester function, for example by heating with potassiumhydroxide in an alcohol (ethanol, tert-butanol) and releasing thecarboxylic acid group of formula I by acidification. This carboxylicacid group can be derivatized by customary methods to a group of theformula —(C═O)—OR3, where R3 has the meaning described above.

The compounds of formula I act favorably on metabolic disorders. Theyhave a positive effect on lipid and sugar metabolism and, in particular,reduce the concentration of triglycerides, and they are suitable forpreventing and treating type II diabetes and arteriosclerosis.

The compounds can be administered alone or in combination with one ormore further pharmacologically active substances which, for example, actfavorably on metabolic disorders and are selected, for example, fromantidiabetics, antiadipose agents, antihypertensives and activecompounds for treating and/or preventing complications caused by orassociated with diabetes.

Suitable further pharmacologically active substances are:

All antidiabetics mentioned in chapter 12 of Rote Liste 2001. They maybe combined with the compounds of formula I according to the inventionfor synergistic improvement of the effect. Administration of the activecompound combination may take place either by separate administration ofthe active compounds to the patients or in the form of combinationproducts in which a plurality of active compounds are present in onepharmaceutical preparation. Most of the active compounds listed beloware disclosed in USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names, USPharmacopeia, Rockville, Md. 2001.

Antidiabetics include insulin and insulin derivatives such as, forexample, Lantus® (see www.lantus.com) or HMR 1964, fast-acting insulins(see U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,633), GLP-1 derivatives such as, for example,those disclosed in WO 98/08871 of Novo Nordisk A/S, and orally activehypoglycemic active compounds.

Orally active hypoglycemic active compounds include sulfonylureas,biguanides, meglitinides, oxadiazolidinediones, thiazolidinediones,glucosidase inhibitors, glucagon antagonists, GLP-1 agonists, potassiumchannel openers such as, for example, those disclosed in WO 97/26265 andWO 99/03861 of Novo Nordisk A/S, insulin sensitizers, inhibitors ofliver enzymes involved in the stimulation of gluconeogenesis and/orglycogenolysis, modulators of glucose uptake, compounds which alterlipid metabolism, such as antihyperlipidemic active compounds andantilipidemic active compounds, compounds which reduce food intake, PPARand PXR agonists and active compounds which act on the ATP-dependentpotassium channel of beta cells.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with an HMG-COA reductase inhibitor such assimvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin,cerivastatin or rosuvastatin.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a cholesterol absorption inhibitor suchas, for example, ezetimibe, tiqueside or pamaqueside.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a PPAR gamma agonist such as, forexample, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, JTT-501 or GI 262570.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a PPAR alpha agonist such as, forexample, GW 9578 or GW 7647.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a mixed PPAR alpha/gamma agonist suchas, for example, GW 1536, AVE 8042, AVE 8134, or AVE 0847, or asdescribed in PCT/US00/11833, PCT/US00/11490, or DE 10142734.4.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a fibrate such as, for example,fenofibrate, clofibrate or bezafibrate.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with an MTP inhibitor such as, for example,implitapide, BMS-201038 or R-103757.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a bile acid adsorption inhibitor (see,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,744 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,897) suchas, for example, HMR 1741.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a CETP inhibitor such as, for example,JTT-705.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a polymeric bile acid adsorbent suchas, for example, cholestyramine or colesevelam.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with an LDL receptor inducer (see U.S. Pat.No. 6,342,512) such as, for example, HMR1171 or HMR1586.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with an ACAT inhibitor such as, for example,avasimibe.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with an antioxidant such as, for example,OPC-14117.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a lipoprotein lipase inhibitor such as,for example, NO-1886.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with an ATP citrate lyase inhibitor such as,for example, SB-204990.

In one-embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a squalene synthetase inhibitor suchas, for example, BMS-188494.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a lipoprotein(a) lowering agent/HDLenhancer such as, for example, CI-1027 or nicotinic acid.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with a lipase inhibitor such as, forexample, orlistat.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formula I areadministered in combination with insulin.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with a sulfonylurea such as, for example, tolbutamide,glibenclamide, glipizide or glimepiride.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with a biguanide such as, for example, metformin.

In another embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with a meglitinide such as, for example, repaglinide.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with a thiazolidinedione such as, for example, troglitazone,ciglitazone, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone or the compounds disclosed inWO 97/41097 of Dr. Reddy's Research Foundation, such as5-[[4-[(3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-4-oxo-2-quinazolinylmethoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with an α-glucosidase inhibitor such as, for example,miglitol or acarbose.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with an active compound which acts on the ATP-dependentpotassium channel of beta cells, such as, for example, tolbutamide,glibenclamide, glipizide, glimepiride or repaglinide.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with more than one of the aforementioned compounds, forexample in combination with a sulfonylurea and mefformin, a sulfonylureaand acarbose, repaglinide and mefformin, insulin and a sulfonylurea,insulin and mefformin, insulin and troglitazone, insulin and lovastatin,etc.

In a further embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with CART modulators (see “Cocaine-amphetamine-regulatedtranscript influences energy metabolism, anxiety and gastric emptying inmice” Asakawa, A, et al., Hormone and Metabolic Research (2001), 33(9),554-558), NPY antagonists (for exampleN-{4-[(4-aminoquinazolin-2-ylamino)methyl]cyclohexylmethyl}-naphthalene-1-sulfonamidehydrochloride (CGP 71683A)), MC4 agonists (for exampleN-[2-(3a-benzyl-2-methyl-3-oxo-2,3,3a,4,6,7-hexahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-carboxamide(WO 01/91752)), orexin antagonists (for example1-(2-methylbenzoxazol-6-yl)-3-[1,5]naphthyridin-4-ylurea hydrochloride(SB-334867-A)), H3 agonists (for example3-cyclohexyl-1-(4,4-dimethyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-yl)propan-1-oneoxalic acid salt (WO 00/63208)); TNF agonists, CRF antagonists (forexample[2-methyl-9-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-9H-1,3,9-triazafluoren-4-yl]dipropylamine(WO 00/66585)), CRF BP antagonists (for example urocortin), urocortinagonists, β3 agonists (for example1-(4-chloro-3-methanesulfonylmethylphenyl)-2-[2-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-6-yloxy)ethylamino]ethanolhydrochloride (WO 01/83451)), MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)agonists, CCK-A agonists (for example{2-[4-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl]-5,7-dimethylindol-1-yl}aceticacid trifluoroacetic acid salt (WO 99/15525)); serotonin reuptakeinhibitors (for example dexfenfluramine), mixed serotoninergic andnoradrenergic compounds (for example WO 00/71549), 5HT agonists (forexample 1-(3-ethylbenzofuran-7-yl)piperazine oxalic acid salt (WO01/09111)), bombesin agonists, galanin antagonists, growth hormone (forexample human growth hormone), growth-hormone-releasing compounds(tert-butyl6-benzyloxy-1-(2-diisopropylaminoethylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-carboxylate(WO 01/85695)), TRH agonists (see, for example, EP 0 462 884),decoupling protein 2 or 3 modulators, leptin agonists (see, for example,Lee, Daniel W.; Leinung, Matthew C.; Rozhavskaya-Arena, Marina; Grasso,Patricia, “Leptin agonists as a potential approach to the treatment ofobesity,” Drugs of the Future (2001), 26(9), 873-881), DA agonists (forexample bromocriptin or doprexin), lipase/amylase inhibitors (forexample WO 00/40569), PPAR modulators (for example WO 00/78312), RXRmodulators or TR β agonists.

In one embodiment of the invention, the other active compound is leptin;see, for example, “Perspectives in the therapeutic use of leptin”,Salvador, Javier; Gomez-Ambrosi, Javier; Fruhbeck, Gema, Expert Opinionon Pharmacotherapy (2001), 2(10), 1615-1622.

In one embodiment, the other active compound is dexamphetamine oramphetamine.

In one embodiment, the other active compound is fenfluramine ordexfenfluramine.

In a further embodiment, the other active compound is sibutramine.

In one embodiment, the other active compound is orlistat.

In one embodiment, the other active compound is mazindol or phentermine.

In one embodiment, the compounds of formula I are administered incombination with dietary fiber materials, such as insoluble dietaryfiber materials (see, for example, carob/Caromax® (Zunft H J; et al.,Carob pulp preparation for treatment of hypercholesterolemia, ADVANCESIN THERAPY (2001 Sep-Oct), 18(5), 230-6). Caromax® is a carob-containingproduct from Nutrinova, Nutrition Specialties & Food Ingredients GmbH,Industriepark Hochst, 65926 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Combination withCaromax® is possible in one preparation or by separate administration ofcompounds of formula I and Caromax®. Caromax® can moreover beadministered in the form of foodstuffs such as, for example, in bakeryproducts or muesli bars.

It is self-evident that any suitable combination of the compounds of theinvention with one or more of the aforementioned compounds andoptionally one or more other pharmacologically active substances isregarded as falling within the protection conferred by the presentinvention.

This invention furthermore relates to the use of compounds of formula Iand their pharmaceutical compositions as PPAR ligand receptor binders.The PPAR ligand receptor binders according to the invention are suitablefor use as agonists or antagonists of the PPAR receptor.

Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) can be divided intothe three subtypes PPARα, PPARδ and PPARγ. These are encoded bydifferent genes (Motojima, Cell Structure and Function, 18:267-277,1993). In addition, there are two isotopes of PPARγ, PPARγ₁ and γ₂.These two proteins differ in the 30 NH₂-terminal amino acids and are theresult of an alternative use of promoters and different mRNA splicing(Vidal-Puig, Jiminez, Linan, Lowell, Hamann, Hu, Spiegelman, Flier,Moller, J. Clin. Invest., 97:2553-2561, 1996).

PPAR-modulated biological processes are processes modulated by receptorsor combinations of receptors which react to the PPAR receptor ligandsdescribed in the present document. These processes include, for example,plasma lipid transport and fatty acid catabolism, regulation of insulinsensitivity and blood glucose levels involved inhypoglycemia/hyperinsulinism (caused, for example, by functionaldisorders of the pancrease beta-cells, insulin-secreting tumors and/orautoimmune hypoglycemia owing to autoantibodies against insulin, theinsulin receptor or autoantibodies having a stimulating action onpancrease beta-cells), macrophage differentiation resulting in theformation of atherosclerotic plaques, in inflammable reactions,carcinogenesis, hyperplasia or adipocyte differentiation.

Adiposity is an excessive buildup of fatty tissue. Recent investigationsin this field have shown that PPARγ plays a central role in geneexpression and differentiation of adipocytes. Excess fatty tissue isassociated with the development of serious disorders such as, forexample, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hypertension,disorders of the coronary arteries, hyperlipidemia, adiposity andcertain malignant syndromes. The adipocytes can, by forming tumornecrosis factor a (TNFα) and other molecules, also have an effect onglucose homeostasis.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or type II diabetes isthe more frequent form of diabetes. About 90-95% of hyperglycemiapatients suffer from this form of the disease. What is present in NIDDMis apparently a reduction of the mass of the beta cells of the pancreas,a number of different disorders of insulin secretion or reduced insulinsensitivity of the tissue. The symptoms of this form of diabetes includetiredness, frequent urination, thirst, blurred vision, frequentinfections and slow healing of wounds, diabetic nerve damage and kidneydiseases.

Resistance against the metabolic effects of insulin is one of the mainfeatures of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Insulin resistanceis characterized by reduced uptake and conversion of glucose ininsulin-sensitive target organs such as, for example, adipocytes andskeletal muscles, and by reduced inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis.Functional insulin deficiency and the absent suppression of hepaticgluconeogenesis by insulin leads to hyperglycemia in the fasting state.The pancreas beta-cells compensate for insulin resistance by increasedsecretion of insulin. However, the beta-cells are not able to maintainthis high insulin output, so that the glucose-induced insulin secretiondecreases, resulting in a deterioration of glucose homeostasis andfinally in the development of manifest diabetes.

Hyperinsulinemia is likewise associated with insulin resistance,hypertriglyceridemia and increased plasma concentrations of low-densitylipoproteins. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia combined withthese metabolic disorders is called “syndrome X” and is stronglyassociated with an increased risk of hypertension and disorders of thecoronary arteries.

Mefformin is known to the person skilled in the art as an agent fortreating diabetes in humans (U.S. Pat. No. 3,174,901). The primaryaction of metformin is reduced formation of glucose in the liver. As isknown, Troglitazone® acts primarily by improving the ability of skeletalmuscles to react to insulin and to take up glucose. It is known that acombination therapy of metformin and Troglitazone® can be used fortreating diabetes-associated disorders (DDT 3:79-88, 1998).

It has been observed that PPARγ activators, such as Troglitazone®,convert cancerous tissue in liposarcoma (fat tumors) into normal cells(PNAS 96:3951-3956, 1999). Furthermore, it has been proposed that PPARγactivators may be of benefit in the treatment of breast cancer andintestinal cancer (PNAS 95:8806-8811, 1998; Nature Medicine4:1046-1052,1998).

In addition, PPARγ activators such as, for example, Troglitazone® havealso been used for treating polycystic ovarial syndrome (PCO). Thissyndrome, which occurs in women, is characterized by chronic anovulationand hyperandrogenism. Women with this syndrome frequently also sufferfrom insulin resistance and an increased risk of developingnon-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Dunaif, Scott, Finegood,Quintana, Whitcomb, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 81:3299, 1996).

Furthermore, it has recently been discovered that PPARγ activatorsincrease the formation of progesterone and inhibit steroid genesis ingranulosa cell cultures and may therefore be suitable for treatingclimacterium (U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,647, Urban et al., 29 Sep. 1998; B.Lorke et al., Journal of Endocrinology, 159, 429-39, 1998). Climacteriumis defined as the syndrome of the endocrine, somatic and psychologicalchanges which occur in women at the end of the reproductive phase.

Peroxisomes are cellular organelles involved in the control of the redoxpotential and oxidative stress in cells by metabolizing a large numberof substrates such as, for example, hydrogen peroxide. A number ofdisorders are associated with oxidative stress. Thus, for example,inflammable reactions to tissue damage, pathogenesis of emphysema,ischemia-associated organ damage (shock), doxorubicin-induced heartdamage, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, atherosclerosis and lung damagecaused by hyperoxia are in each case associated with the formation ofreactive oxygen species and changes of the reductive capability of thecell. Accordingly, it has been proposed that PPARα activators regulateinter alia the redox potential and the oxidative stress in cells and maybe useful for treating these disorders (Poynter et al., J. Biol. Chem.273, 32833-41,1998).

It has also been found that PPARα agonists inhibit NF_(K)B-mediatedtranscription and thus modulate various inflammatory reactions, such as,for example, the enzyme paths of inducible nitrous oxide synthase (NOS)and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (Pineda-Torra, I. et al., 1999, Curr.Opinion in Lipidology, 10,151-9) and can therefore be used fortherapeutic interventions in a large number of different inflammatorydiseases and other pathological conditions (Colville-Nash et al.,Journal of Immunology, 161, 978-84, 1998; Staels et al, Nature, 393,790-3, 1998).

Peroxisome proliferators activate PPAR which, in turn, act astranscription factors and cause differentiation, cell growth andproliferation of peroxisomes. It is also presumed that PPAR activatorsplay a role in hyperplasia and carcinogenesis and change the enzymaticproperties of animal cells such as, for example, rodent cells; however,these PPAR activators appear to have only minimal negative effects onhuman cells (Green, Biochem. Pharm. 43(3):393, 1992). Activation of PPARleads to a rapid increase of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and-catalase.

PPARα is activated by a number of medium-chain fatty acids andlong-chain fatty acids and is involved in the stimulation of α-oxidationof fatty acids in tissues such as liver, heart, skeletal muscle andbrown fatty tissue (Issemann and Green, ibid.; Beck et al., Proc. R.Soc. Lond. 247:83-87, 1992; Gottlicher et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA 89:4653-4657,1992).

Pharmacological PPARα activators such as, for example, fenofibrate,clofibrate, gemfibrozil and bezafibrate are likewise involved in theconsiderable reduction of plasma triglycerides and a moderate reductionof LDL cholesterol, and they are used for treating hypertriglyceridemia,hyperlipidemia and adiposity. It is known that PPARα is also involved ininflammatory disorders (Schoonjans, K., Current Opinion in Lipidology,8,159-66, 1997).

The human nuclear receptor PPARδ has been cloned from a cDNA library ofhuman osteosarcoma cells and is described completely in A. Schmidt etal., Molecular Endocrinology, 6:1634-1641 (1992). The contents of thisarticle are hereby incorporated by reference into the present document.It may be pointed out that in the literature PPARδ is also referred toas PPARβ and as NUC1, but all of these names refer to the same receptor.Thus, in A. Schmidt et al., Molecular Endocrinology, 6:1634-1641, 1992,for example, the receptor is referred to as NUC1. PPARδ is found both inembryonal and in adult tissue. It has been reported that this receptoris involved in the regulation of the expression of some fat-specificgenes and therefore plays a role in the process of adipogenesis (Amri,E. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270, 2367-71, 1995).

It is known that atherosclerotic disorders are caused by a number offactors such as, for example, hypertension, diabetes, low concentrationsof high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and high concentrations oflow-density lipoproteins (LDL). In addition to reducing the risks byacting on the concentration of the plasma lipids and other risk factors,PPARα agonists have direct atheroprotective actions (Frick, M. H. etal., 1997, Circulation 96:2137-2143, de Faire et al., 1997, Cardiovasc.Drugs Ther. 11 Suppl. 1:257-63).

It has recently been found that PPARδ agonists are useful for increasingHDL level and are therefore suitable for treating atheroscleroticdisorders (Leibowitz et al., WO 97/28149). Atherosclerotic disordersinclude vascular disorders, coronary heart disease, cerebrovasculardisorders and disorders of the peripheral vessels. Coronary heartdisease includes death by coronary heart disease, myocardial infarctionand coronary revascularization. Cerebrovascular diseases includeischemic and hemorrhagic infarcts and transient ischemic attacks.

PPARγ subtypes are involved in the activation of adipocytedifferentiation and do not play any role in the stimulation ofperoxysome proliferation in the liver. Activation of PPARγ contributesto adipocyte differentiation by activating the adipocyte-specific geneexpression (Lehmann, Moore, Smith-Oliver, Wilkison, Willson, Kliewer, J.Biol. Chem., 270:12953-12956,1995). The DNA sequences of the PPARγsubtypes are described in Elbrecht et al., BBRC 224; 431-437 (1996).Although peroxysome proliferators including fibrates and fatty acidsactivate the transciptory activity of PPARs, only prostaglandin J₂derivatives such as the arachidonic metabolite 15-deoxy-delta¹²,14-prostaglandin J₂ (15d-PGJ₂) have been identified as natural ligandsspecific for the PPARγ subtype which also binds to thiazolidinediones.This prostaglandin activates PPARγ-dependent adipogenesis, but activatesPPARα only at high concentrations (Formann, Tontonoz, Chen, Brun,Spiegelman, Evans, Cell, 83:803-812,1995; Kliewer, Lenhard, Wilson,Patel, Morris, Lehmann, Cell, 83:813-819,1995). This is a furtherindication that the subtypes of the PPAR family differ in theirpharmacological reaction to ligands.

From this, it can be concluded that compounds which activate PPARα orboth PPARα and PPARγ have to be effective hypotriglyceridemic drugswhich can be used for treating atherosclerosis-associated dislipidemia,non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, syndrome X (Staels, B. et al.,Curr. Pharm. Des., 3 (1), 1-4 (1997)) and familial combinedhyperlipidemia (FCH). Syndrome X is characterized by a firstinsulin-resistant stage which causes hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia andreduced glucose tolerance and which can progress tonon-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II diabetes) characterizedby hyperglycemia. FCH is characterized by hypercholesterolemia andhypertriglyceridemia in the same patient and in the same family.

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I suitable formodulating PPAR receptors, and for a number of other relatedpharmaceutical applications.

The compounds of formula I are suitable for treating dyslipidemia,insulin resistance, type I and type II diabetes, disturbed glucosetolerance, syndrome X, obesity, eating disorders, thromboses,inflammations, cardiomyopathy and for protecting beta-cells andprotection against fatty acid oxidation (see, for example, Jean-CharlesFruchart, Bart Staels and Patrick Duriez: PPARS, Metabolic Disease andAtherosclerosis, Pharmacological Research, Vol. 44, No. 5, 2001; SanderKersten, Beatrice Desvergne & Walter Wahli: Roles of PPARs in health anddisease, NATURE, VOL 405, 25 MAY 2000; Ines Pineda Torra, GiuliaChinetti, Caroline Duval, Jean-Charles Fruchart and Bart Staels:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: from transcriptionalcontrol to clinical practice, Curr Opin Lipidol 12: 2001, 245-254).

The activity of the compounds was tested as follows:

To analyze the effectiveness of substances which bind to human PPARα,activating it in agonistic manner, a stable transfected HEK cell line(HEK=human embryo kidney) designated here as “PPARα reporter cell line”is used. It contains two genetic elements, a firefly luciferase reporterelement and a PPARα fusion protein (GR-GAL4-PPARα) which controls theexpression of the firefly luciferase reporter element in a PPARα liganddependent way.

The PPARα reporter cell line was established in two steps: First, thefirefly luciferase reporter element was constructed and stablytransfected into HEK cells. Five DNA binding sites for the yeasttranscription factor GAL4 (five repetitions of the sequence5′-CGGAGTACTGTCCTCCGAG-3′) (SEQ ID NO:1) were cloned 5′ upstream of a 68bp minimal RNA polymerase 11 promoter from the GR mouse mammary tumorvirus long terminal repeat (accession # V01175) providing a CCAAT-box aswell as a TATA-element. Cloning and sequencing was done as described bySambrook J. et. al. (Molecular cloning, Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress, 1989). The complete Photinus pyralis luciferase gene (accession #Ml 5077) was cloned 3′ downstream of the GAL4 binding sites and the MMTVminimal promoter. The firefly luciferase reporter element consisting of5 GAL4 binding sites, the MMTV minimal promoter and the full lengthluciferase gene was recloned into a plasmid backbone harboring a Zeozinresistence gene leading to plasmid “pdeltaMG4LZ”. This vector wastransfected in HEK cells as described by Ausubel, F. M. et al. (Currentprotocols in molecular biology, Vol. 1-3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,1995). Stable clones have been selected using Zeozin as a selectionagent (0.5 mg/ml).

In a second step, the PPARα fusion protein (GR-GAL4-PPARα) that controlsexpression of the firefly luciferase reporter element, was stablyintegrated in this cell background. For this purpose the cDNAs codingfor the N-terminal 76 amino acids of the human glucocorticoid receptor(“GR”, accession # P04150) have been linked to amino acids 1-147 of theyeast GAL4-protein (accession # P04386) followed by the ligand bindingdomain of human PPARα (amino acids S167-Y468, accession # S74349). TheGR-GAL4-humanPPARα construct was cloned into plasmid pcDNA3 (Invitrogen)were its expression is driven constitutively by the Cytomegaloviruspromoter. The plasmid pcDNA3-GR-GAL4-humanPPARα was transfected in astable HEK-cell clone that already contained the firefly luciferasereporter element described above. A double-transfected cell linecontaining both, the firefly luciferase reporter element as well as theGR-GAL4-humanPPARα fusion protein, has been selected on mediumsupplemented with Zeozin (0.5 mg/ml) and G418 (0.5 mg/ml).

The activity of PPARα agonists is determined in a three day test,described below:

Day 1

The PPARα reporter cell line is cultivated up to 80% confluence in DMEMmedium (#41965-039, Life Technologies) with the following additives: 10%cs-FCS (fetal calf serum, #SH-30068.03, Hyclone), antibiotics (0.5 mg/mlof zeozin [#R250-01, Invitrogen], 0.5 mg/ml of G418 [#10131-019, LifeTechnologies], 1% penicillin streptomycin solution [#15140-031, LifeTechnologies]) and 2 mM of L-glutamine (#25030-032, Life Technologies).Cultivation is carried out in standard cell culture bottles (# 33111,Becton Dickinson) in a cell culture incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO₂. The80% confluent cells are washed once with 30 ml of PBS (#14190-094, LifeTechnologies), treated with 2 ml of trypsin solution (#25300-054, LifeTechnologies) at 37° C. for 2 min, taken up in 5 ml of the mediumdescribed above and counted in a cell counter. After dilution to 500,000cells/ml, in each case 35,000 cells are sown into each well of a 96-wellmicrotiter plate having a clear plastic bottom (#3610, Coming Costar).The plates are incubated in a cell incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ for 24h.

Day 2

The PPARα agonists to be tested are dissolved in DMSO at a concentrationof 10 mM. This stock solution is diluted in Phenol-Red-free DMEM medium(#21063-029, Life Technologies) to which 5% of cs-FCS (#SH-30068.03,Hyclone), 2 mM of L-glutamine (#25030-032, Life Technologies) and theantibiotics described above (zeozin, G418, penicillin and streptomycin)had been added.

Test substances are usually tested at 11 different concentrations (10μM; 3.3 μM; 1 μM; 0.33 μM; 0,1 μM; 0.033 μM; 0.01 μM; 0.0033 μM; 0.001μM; 0.00033 μM and 0.0001 μM). More potent compounds are tested inconcentration ranges of from 1 μM to 10 μM or 100 nM to 1 μM. From eachwell, the medium of the PPARα reporter cell line sown on day 1 iscompletely removed by aspiration, and immediately, the test substancesdiluted in medium are added to the cells. Dilution and addition of thesubstances can be carried out using a robot (Beckman Biomek 2000). Theend volume of the test substances diluted in medium is 100 μl per wellof a 96-well plate. The DMSO concentration in the assay is always below0.1% v/v to prevent cytotoxic effects of the solvent.

To demonstrate that the assay is working in each individual plate, astandard PPARα agonist, which is also diluted to 11 differentconcentrations, is added to each plate. The test plates are incubated inan incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ for 24 h.

Day 3

The PPARα reporter cells treated with the test substances are removedfrom the incubator and frozen at −20° C. for 1 h to improve cell lysis.After the plates have thawed (thawing at room temperature for at least30 min), 50 μl of buffer 1 (Luc-Screen kit #LS1000, PE BiosystemsTropix) are pipetted into each well and the plates are then transferredinto an apparatus for measuring luminescence, fitted with a pipettingunit (Luminoscan Ascent, LabSystems). The luciferase reaction in themeasurement apparatus is started by pipetting 50 μl of buffer 2(Luc-Screen kit #LS1000, PE Biosystems Tropix) into each well of the96-well plate. Addition of buffer to the individual wells is carried outin defined and identical time intervals following the instructions ofthe manufacturer (LabSystems). All samples are measured exactly 16 minafter addition of buffer 2. Measurement time is 10 sec per sample.

The crude data of the apparatus for measuring luminescence are exportedinto a Microsoft Excel file. Dose-activity curves and EC₅₀ values arecalculated using the program XL.Fit according to the instructions of themanufacturer (IDBS).

The results for the activity of the compounds of formula I according tothe invention are listed in Table I below: TABLE I Example No. EC50PPARα [nM] I 1 II 0.3 IV 0.3 VI 0.18 VII 4 VIII 0.04 IX 0.04 X 0.5 XIX16 XXIV 0.9 XXV 1.3 XXVIII 0.67 XXIX 1.4 XLVIII 0.25 IL 0.52 L 0.19 LI0.31 LII 0.10 LIII 0.40 LIV 0.08 LV 0.09 LVI 0.54 LVII 0.13 LVIII 0.46LIX 0.62 LX 0.20 LXI 10 LXII 0.08 LXIII 0.56 LXIV 0.13 LXV 1.1 LXVI 0.48LXIX 0.11 LXX 0.28 LXXII 0.24

It is evident from Table I that the compounds of formula I according tothe invention activate the PPARα receptor, thus effecting, analogouslyto clinically used fibrates, a lowering of the triglycerideconcentration in the organism (see, for example, J.-Ch. Fruchard etal.,: PPARS, Metabolic Disease and Atherosclerosis, PharmacologicalResearch, Vol. 44, No. 5, 2001; S. Kersten et al.: Roles of PPARs inhealth and disease, NATURE, VOL 405, 25 MAY 2000; I. Pineda et al.:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: from transcriptionalcontrol to clinical practice, Curr Opin Lipidol 12: 2001, 245-254).

The examples given below serve to illustrate the invention, but withoutlimiting it. Any measured melting points or decomposition points (m.p.)are uncorrected and, in general, depend on the heating rate.

EXAMPLE I

3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexanol 3

With ice-cooling, initially 2.25 g of an 80 percent suspension of sodiumhydride and then 5.8 g of 1,3-cyclohexanediol were added to a mixture of50 ml of dimethylformamide and 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture wasstirred at about 25° C. for 3 hours. 10.5 g of4-chloromethyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazole (1) was then added, the mixturewas heated at 70° C. and the reaction was monitored by thin-layerchromatography. After the reaction ended, the mixture was poured intoice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase wasseparated off, dried and concentrated and the residue was purified onsilica gel by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/n-heptane=1:1). Thisgave the alcohol 3 as an oil. C₁₆H₁₈FNO₃ (291.33) MS(ESI): 292 (M+H⁺)

Methyl2-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxy}-6-methylbenzoate5

With ice-cooling, 0.3 g of a sodium hydride suspension (80%) wereintroduced into a mixture of 10 ml of dimethylformamide and 20 ml oftetrahydrofuran. 1 g of alcohol 3 in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran was thenadded, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 0.8 gof bromide 4 was then added, and the mixture was stirred at roomtemperature and with monitoring by TLC for 3-5 hours until theconversion was substantially complete. The mixture was poured intoice-water and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate, the organic phasewas washed with 20 ml portions of water, dried over sodium sulfate andconcentrated under reduced pressure at 20 mbar for approximately 1 hour,and the residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (ethylacetate:n-heptane=1:2). This gave the methyl ester 5 as an oil.

C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅ (453.52) MS(ESI): 454 (M+H⁺).

2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxy}-6-methylbenzoicacid 6

2 g of ester 5 were heated at reflux in 150 ml of tert-butanol and 24 mlof 50 percent aqueous potassium hydroxide solution for 6 hours. 4/5 ofthe butanol was removed under reduced pressure and the mixture wasdiluted with water and acidified with ice-cooling. The product wasextracted with dichloromethane, dried over sodium sulfate andconcentrated under reduced pressure, giving, by filtration of theresidue through silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=20:1), the acid 6 C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅(432.42) MS(ESI): 433 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE II

At 120° C., 31 g (123 mmol) of p-fluorobenzamide and 33 g (123 mmol) of1,3-dichloroacetone were stirred in the absence of a solvent for 2hours. After cooling to room temperature, the product was dissolved in250 ml of ethyl acetate. This solution was diluted with 400 ml ofn-heptane and washed 3 times with saturated NaCl solution. The organicphase was filtered through 250 ml of silica gel, and the filter pad wasthen washed with 200 ml of n-heptane/ethyl acetate (4:1). The solventwas distilled off, giving 4-chloromethyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazole 1 ascrude product. This was dissolved in 650 ml of acetone, and 90 g of NaIwere then added. The mixture was then heated at reflux for 16 hours,most of the solvent was then removed and the solid residue was suspendedin 200 ml of n-heptane/ethyl acetate (1:1) and filtered through 200 mlof silica gel. The precipitate was washed with 500 ml of n-heptane/ethylacetate (1:1), and the organic phase was concentrated. On concentration,the iodide 2 began to crystallize as white crystals. TLC n-heptane/ethylacetate (6:1) R_(f)=0.4 for 2 and R_(f)=0.35 for 1. C₁₀H₇FINO (303.08)MS(ESI): 304 (M+H⁺).

10.8 g (93.1 mmol) of cis/trans-1,3-cyclohexanediol and 15.4 g (61.8mmol) of dibutyltin oxide were heated in 800 ml of toluene on a waterseparator for 5 hours. 400 ml of toluene were distilled off, and themixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and 280 ml of dryDMF, 15 g (49.5 mmol) of 2 and 12.7 g (80.1 mmol) of dry CsF were thenadded successively. The heterogeneous mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 20 hours (TLC control starting material 2). 200 ml ofethyl acetate were added, and the mixture was washed three times withsaturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was filtered through 150 mlof silica gel and concentrated. Following addition of n-heptane/ethylacetate (6:1), the residue crystallized. Further recrystallization fromn-heptane/ethyl acetate gave the product 3a (mixture ofcis-enantiomers). The mixture of trans-enantiomers 3b was obtained fromthe mother liquor after concentration and chromatography. TLCn-heptane/ethyl acetate (1:1). R_(f) 3a (cis)=0.2, R_(f) 3b (trans)=0.3.C₁₆H₁₈FNO₃ (291.33) MS(ESI): 292 (M+H⁺).

The pair of enantiomers 3a was separated by chiral HPLC. Thedextrorotatory (+)-enantiomer (+)3a eluted first, followed by thelevorotatory (−)-enantiomer (−)3a (Chiralpak AD 250×4.6;acetonitrile/methanol (9:1)).

The absolute stereochemistry was assigned by X-ray structural analysisof the camphanic acid esters of the separated diastereomers 3.

Methylcis-2-(3-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate5b

1.05 g (3.6 mmol) of (−)3a, 1.3 g (5.4 mmol) 4 and 130 mg of KI weredissolved in 12 ml of dry DMF. 140 mg (5.7 mmol) of 95% NaH were added,and the mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Toachieve better yields with respect to the starting material (−)3a, 2more times, the same amount of 4 and NaH were added, and the mixture wasin each case stirred for 1 hour. The mixture was then allowed to standovernight. The reaction solution was diluted with 150 ml of ethylacetate and poured into 50 ml of water. The mixture was washed 2 moretimes with NaCl solution, and the organic phase was then filteredthrough silica gel and concentrated, and the residue was purified byflash chromatography (n-heptane/ethyl acetate, 1:1). This gave 5b as acolorless amorphous solid. TLC n-heptane-ethyl acetate (1:1). R_(f)=0.5.C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅ (453.52) MS(ESI): 454 (M+H⁺).

(+)-cis-2-(3-(2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoicacid 6b

4.2 g (9.2 mmol) of 5b were dissolved in 120 ml of t-BuOH. 50 ml of 50%aq. KOH were added, and the mixture was then boiled at 100° C. for 24hours. For work-up, the mixture was allowed to cool and then dilutedwith 100 ml of ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase was made slightly acidicby addition of 2 N aqueous HCl and extracted 2 more times with 100 ml ofethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated, and the residue was purified by flash chromatography(methylene chloride/methanol/conc. ammonia, 30/5/1). This gave 6b as awhite amorphous solid. TLC (methylene chloride/methanol/conc. ammonia,30/5/1). R_(f)=0.3. Recrystallization from toluene. C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅ (432.42)MS(ESI): 433 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE III

(−)-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cycloxyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 6a

Using (+)3a and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate 4 as startingmaterials in the procedure of Example I gave the product 6a of molecularweight 432.42 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 433 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE IV

cis-2-(3-(2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoicacid 7b

170 mg (0.39 mmol) of 6b were heated in 4 ml of 5.6 M NaOMe/MeOHsolution at an oil bath temperature of 120° C. for 20 hours. Ethylacetate and 2 N HCl were added, and the mixture was then worked upanalogously to the synthesis of 6b. This gave 7b as a colorlessamorphous solid. TLC: (methylene chloride/methanol/conc. ammonia,30/5/1). R_(f)˜0.3. C₂₆H₂₉NO₆ (451.52) MS(ESI): 452 (M+H⁺).

In the same manner, 6a gave the stereoisomeric 7a:

TLC: (methylene chloride/methanol/conc. ammonia, 30/5/1). R_(f)˜0.3.C₂₆H₂₉NO₆ (451.52) MS(ESI): 452 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE V (11a) AND EXAMPLE VI (11b)

cis-3-(2-Phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexanol 12a,b

1,3-Cyclohexanediol and 4-iodomethyl-2-phenyloxazole gave the racemate12 of molecular weight 273.33 (C₁₆H₁₉NO₃); MS(ESI): 274 (M+H⁺).

The enantiomers were separated by HPLC on a chiral column. The(+)-enantiomer 12a eluted first, followed by the (−)-enantiomer 12b(Chiralpak OD 250×4.6; n-heptane:ethanol:acetonitrile=110:2:1+0.05%trifluoroacetic acid).

Methylcis-2-methyl-6-[3-(2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoate13a

12a and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave 13a of molecularweight 435.52 (C₂₆H₂₉NO₅); MS(ESI): 436 (M+H⁺).

Methylcis-2-methyl-6-[3-(2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoate13b

12b and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave 13b of molecularweight 435.52 (C₂₆H₂₉NO₅); MS(ESI): 436 (M+H⁺).

cis-2-Methyl-6-[3-(2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid

Hydrolysis of 13a gave 11a of molecular weight 421.50 (C₂₅H₂₇NO₅);MS(ESI): 422 (M+H⁺).

cis-2-Methyl-6-[3-(2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid 11b

Analogously by hydrolysis, 13b gave 11b of molecular weight 421.50(C₂₅H₂₇NO₅); MS(ESI): 422 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE VII (14a) AND EXAMPLE VIII (14b)

cis-3-(2-p-Tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexanol 15a,b

Cyclohexanediol and 4-iodomethyl-2-p-tolyloxazole gave the racemate 15of molecular weight 287.36 (C₁₇H₂₁NO₃); MS(ESI): 288 (M+H⁺).

Separation of the enantiomers was carried out by HPLC on a chiralcolumn. The (+)-enantiomer 15a eluted first, followed by the(−)-enantiomer 15b (Chiralpak OD 250×4.6;n-heptane:ethanol:acetonitrile=110:5:1+0.05% trifluoroacetic acid).

Methylcis-2-methyl-6-[3-(2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoate16a

15a and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave 16a of molecularweight 449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅); MS(ESI): 450 (M+H⁺).

Methylcis-2-methyl-6-[3-(2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoate16b

15b and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave 16b of molecularweight 449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅); MS(ESI): 450 (M+H⁺).

cis-2-Methyl-6-[3-(2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid 14a

16a gave 14a of molecular weight 435.52 (C₂₆H₂₉NO₅); MS(ESI): 436(M+H⁺).

cis-2-Methyl-6-[3-(2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid 14b

16b gave the product 14b of molecular weight 435.52 (C₂₆H₂₉NO₅);MS(ESI): 436 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE IX (17a) AND EXAMPLE X (17b)

cis-3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexanol 18a,b

Cyclohexanediol and 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gavethe racemate 18 of molecular weight 305.35 (C₁₇H₂₀FNO₃); MS(ESI): 306(M+H⁺).

The enantiomers were separated by HPLC on a chiral column. The(+)-enantiomer 18a eluted first, followed by the (−)-enantiomer 18b(Chiralpak OD 250×4.6; n-heptane:ethanol:acetonitrile=110:2:1+0.05%trifluoroacetic acid).

Methylcis-2-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoate19a

18a and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave 19a of molecularweight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

Methylcis-2-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoate19b

18b and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave 19b of molecularweight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

cis-2-(3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 17a

Hydrolysis of 19a gave 17a of molecular weight 453.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅);MS(ESI): 454 (M+H⁺).

cis-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 17b

Analogously by hydrolysis, 19b gave 17b of molecular weight 453.52(C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅); MS(ESI): 454 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XI (20) AND EXAMPLE XII (21)

Ethyl 5-bromomethyl-2-methylbenzoate 22 and ethyl2-bromomethyl-5-methylbenzoate 23

A solution of 3.5 g of ethyl 2,5-dimethylbenzoate, 3.15 g ofN-bromosuccinimide and 100 ml of carbon tetrachloride was, for 3 hours,heated under reflux and irradiated with a 300 watt photolamp. Theresulting precipitate was filtered off the concentrated filtrate waschromatographed on silica gel. This gave an approximately 2:3 (22:23)mixture of the regioisomeric benzyl bromides 22 and 23 of molecularweight 257.13 (C₁₁H₁₃BrO₂); MS (ESI): 257 (M+H⁺).

Ethylrac-cis-5-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-2-methylbenzoate24 and ethylrac-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-5-methylbenzoate

At 0° C., a solution of 150 mg ofrac-cis-3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-cyclohexanol 3a in 0.5ml of dimethylformamide was added dropwise to a suspension of 40 mg ofsodium hydride (55-65% in paraffin oil) in 1 ml of dimethylformamide.After the evolution of gas ceased, 198 mg of 2:3 mixture of ethyl5-bromomethyl-2-methylbenzoate 22 and ethyl2-bromomethyl-5-methylbenzoate 23 were added. After 30 minutes at 0° C.,the mixture was allowed to react for a further 1 hour at roomtemperature. The mixture was poured into an ammonium chloride solutionand extracted twice with MTBE. The extracts were dried over magnesiumsulfate, filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator, and theproduct was then purified by silica gel chromatography (mobile phase:n-heptane/ethyl acetate 3:1). This gave the faster eluting product ethylrac-cis-2-{3[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-5-methylbenzoate25 of molecular weight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS (ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

Also isolated was the later eluting product ethylrac-cis-5-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-2-methylbenzoate24 of molecular weight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS (ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

rac-cis-5-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-2-methylbenzoicacid 20

A suspension of 47 mg of ethylrac-cis-5-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-2-methylbenzoate24, 2 ml of 1,1-dimethylethanol and 50% (w/w) potassium hydroxide washeated at 85° C. (oil bath) for 2 hours. The pH was adjusted to 3 usingdilute hydrochloric acid and the mixture was extracted twice with MTBE.The extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered andconcentrated on a rotary evaporator, and the product was then purifiedby chromatography. This gave the product 20 of molecular weight 439.49(C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS (ESI): 440 (M+H⁺).

Using a different starting material in the procedure for making 20:rac-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-5-methylbenzoicacid 21

was prepared from ethylrac-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-5-methylbenzoate25.

EXAMPLE XIIIrac-trans-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 26

rac-trans 3b and methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate gave the product26 of molecular weight 439.49 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 440 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XIV

5-(2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-ylmethanol28

1.0 g (6.7 mmol) of 5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ylmethanol and 0.5 g(16.5 mmol) of 2 were dissolved in 20 ml of dry DMF. 300 mg of 55% NaHin paraffin oil were added, and the mixture was then stirred at roomtemperature for 1 hour. Work-up was carried out analogously to thesynthesis of compound 5b. This gave 28 as a white amorphous solid. TLC(n-heptane/ethyl acetate 1:2). R_(f)=0.4. C₁₆H₁₈FNO₅ (323.33) MS(ESI)324.2 (M+H⁺).

Methyl2-{5-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxymethyl]-1,3-dioxan-5-ylmethoxamethyl}-6-methylbenzoate29

Using 28 and 4 as starting materials in the synthesis procedure of 5b ofExample II gave compound 29.

2-{5-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxymethyl]-1,3-dioxan-5-ylmethoxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 27

Using 29 as a starting material in the synthesis procedure for 6b ofExample II gave compound 27 by hydrolysis.

EXAMPLE XV

2-{1-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxymethyl]cyclohex-3-enylmethoxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 31

Using (1-hydroxymethylcyclohex-3-enyl)methanol, iodide 2 and bromide 4as starting materials in the procedure of Example XIV, gave the product31 of molecular weight 465.53 (C₂₇H₂₈FNO₅); MS(ESI): 466 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XVI

2-{1-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxymethyl]cyclohexylmethoxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 32

Using (1-hydroxymethylcyclohexyl)methanol, iodide 2, and bromide 4 asreactants in the procedure of Example XIV gave the product 32 ofmolecular weight 467.53 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XVII

rac-trans-2-{2-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 33

Using trans-1,2-dihydroxycyclohexanol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 asstarting materials in the synthesis procedure of Example XIV, gave thedesired product 33 of molecular weight 439.49 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 440(M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XVIII

2-{4-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 34

1,4-Cyclohexanediol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave product 34 of molecularweight 439.49 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 440 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XIX

2-{4-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 35

Cyclopent-2-ene-1,4-diol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave the product 35 ofmolecular weight 423.45 (C₂₄H₂₂FNO₅); MS(ESI): 424 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XX

2-{5-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclooctyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 36

1,5-Cyclooctanediol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave product 36 of molecularweight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXI

rac-trans-2-{2-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclooctyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 37

trans-1,2-Cyclooctanediol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave the desiredproduct 37 of molecular weight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXII

rac-cis-2-{2-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]methylcyclohexylmethoxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 38

cis-(2-Hydroxymethylcyclohexyl)methanol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave theproduct 38 of molecular weight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXIII

2-{2-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]methylcyclohexylmethoxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 39

(3-Hydroxymethylcyclohexyl)methanol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave theproduct 39 of molecular weight 467.54 (C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅); MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXIV

rac-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxymethyl]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 40

cis-3-Hydroxymethylcyclohexanol, iodide 2 and bromide 4 gave product 40of molecular weight 453.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅); MS(ESI): 454 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXV

rac-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexylmethoxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 41

Reacting cis-3-hydroxymethylcyclohexanol, bromide 4 and iodide 2 in areverse order relative to Example XXIV gave the product 41 of molecularweight 453.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅); MS(ESI): 454 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXVI

rac-cis-2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexylmethoxy}-6-methylbenzoicacid 42

cis-3-Hydroxymethylcyclohexanol, iodide 2 and ethyl2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate gave the product 42 of molecular weight439.49 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 440 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXVII

rac-trans-2-{4-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexylmethoxy}-6-methylbenzoicacid 43

trans-4-Hydroxymethylcyclohexanol, iodide 2 and ethyl2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate gave the product 43 of molecular weight439.49 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 440 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXVIII

rac-cis-2-(2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyl}ethyl)-6-methylbenzoicacid 44

cis-3-Ethynylcyclohex-2-enol, ethyl2-methyl-6-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxybenzoate and iodide 2 gave theproduct 44 of molecular weight 437.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₄); MS(ESI): 438 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXIX

rac-trans-2-(2-{3-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyl}ethyl)-6-methylbenzoicacid 45

trans-3-Ethynylcyclohex-2-enol, ethyl2-methyl-6-trifluoromethanesulfonyioxybenzoate and iodide 2 gave theproduct 45 of molecular weight 437.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₄); MS(ESI): 438 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXX

rac-trans-2-(3-(2-(4-Fluorophenyl)oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoicacid 46

The racemic trans-enantiomer mixture 3b (see Example I) and methyl2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate 4 gave the desired product 46 ofmolecular weight 439.49 (C₂₅H₂₆FNO₅); MS(ESI): 440 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXI

Methyl 2-(cis-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate 47 andmethyl 2-(trans-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate 48

8.7 g 1,3-cyclohexanediol and 12 g dibutyltin oxide were dissolved in600 ml of toluene and, under reflux on a water separator, heated toboiling. During the reaction, the reaction volume was reduced to half ofthe original volume. After 4 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled toroom temperature, and 300 ml of DMF, 9.0 g of methyl2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate and 9.4 g of cesium fluoride were added.The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The reactionmixture was diluted by addition of ethyl acetate and washed withsaturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesiumsulfate, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residuewas purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-heptane/ethylacetate=50:1→1:2). This gave about 6 g of the alcohol 47 (cis-racemate)as an oil. C₁₆H₂₂O₄ (278.35), MS(ESI): 279 (M+H⁺). The unreactedtrans-1,3-cyclohexanediol also eluted from the chromatography column. Itwas alkylated analogously to Example I using sodium hydride and methyl2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate. After analogous work-up andchromatography as described for the cis-racemate, the trans-racemate 48was obtained C₁₆H₂₂O₄ (278.35), MS(ESI): 279 (M+H⁺).

Racemates 47 and 48 were separated by chromatography on a chiral phase(Chiralpak AD/2 250×4.6; n-heptane:ethanol:methanol=25:1:0.5+0.1%trifluoroacetic acid, R_(t) (47a)=8.9 min; retention time of theenantiomer: R_(t) (47b)=9.9 min (the absolute retention times variedwith the exact chromatography conditions)).

The reactions described below can be carried out both with the purestereoisomers and with mixtures of the stereoisomers.

Methyl2-{3-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoate49

At room temperature, 50 mg of a 60% sodium hydride suspension and then408 mg of 2-(4-bromophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole were added to asolution of 200 mg of methyl2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate in 5 ml ofdimethylformamide. After one hour, methyl tert-butyl ether was added,and the mixture was extracted with water. The organic phase was driedover magnesium sulfate, the solvents were removed under reduced pressureand the residue was purified by RP-HPLC. This gave 49 as a light-yellowoil. C₂₇H₃₀BrNO₅ (528.45), MS(ESI): 528.2, 530.2 (M+H⁺).

2-{3-[2-(4-Bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 50

117 mg of 49 were stirred in a mixture of 10 ml of tert-butanol and 1 mlof 10 N aqueous potassium hydroxide solution at 90° C. After two days,the mixture was acidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted withethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesiumsulfate, the solvents were removed under reduced pressure and theresidue was purified by RP-HPLC. This gave 50 as an amorphous solid.C₂₆H₂₈BrNO₅ (514.52), MS(ESI): 514.29, 516.29 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXII

2-{3-[2-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 51

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-bromophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 51 of molecular weight514.42, (C₂₆H₂₈BrNO₅), MS(ESI): 514.30, 516.30 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXIII

2-{3-[2-(3-Fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 52

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 52 of molecular weight453.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅), MS(ESI): 454.35 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXIV

2-{3-[2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 53

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materialsin the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 53 of molecularweight 465.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₆), MS(ESI): 466.37 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXV

2-{3-[2-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 54

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as startingmaterials in the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 54 ofmolecular weight 503.52 (C₂₇H₂₈F₃NO₅), MS(ESI): 504.37 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXVI

2-{3-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 57

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 57 of molecular weight469.97 (C₂₆H₂₈ClNO₅), MS(ESI): 470.43 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXVII

2-{3-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 58

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, the product 58 of molecular weight 469.97(C₂₆H₂₈ClNO₅), MS(ESI): 470.40 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXVIII

2-{3-[2-(3-Methylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 59

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 59 of molecular weight449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.53 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XXXIX

2-{3-[2-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 61

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as startingmaterials in the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 61 ofmolecular weight 463.58 (C₂₈H₃₃NO₅), MS(ESI): 464.22 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XL

2-{3-[2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 62

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as startingmaterials in the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 62 ofmolecular weight 463.58 (C₂₈H₃₃NO₅), MS(ESI): 464.22 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLI

2-{3-[2-(2-Methylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 63

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(2-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 63 of molecular weight449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLII

2-{3-[2-(3-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 64

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as startingmaterials in the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 64 ofmolecular weight 519.52 (C₂₇H₂₈F₃NO₆), MS(ESI): 520.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLIII

2-{3-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 67

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazol as startingmaterials in the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 67 ofmolecular weight 495.58 (C₂₈H₃₃NO₇), MS(ESI): 496.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLIV

2-{3-[2-(3-Cyanophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 68

13 mg of2-{3-[2-(3-bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid and 25 mg of zinc cyanide were dissolved in 5 ml ofdimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was degassed and charged withargon, and 20 mg of tetrakistriphenylphosphinepalladium were added. Themixture was stirred at 100° C. for 12 hours. After cooling to roomtemperature, water was added to the reaction mixture, which was thenextracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were driedover magnesium sulfate, the solvents were removed under reduced pressureand the residue was purified by RP-HPLC. This gave 68 as an amorphouslight-yellow solid. C₂₇H₂₈N₂O₅ (460.53), MS(ESI): 461.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLV

2-Methyl-6-[3-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid 69

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-phenyl-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials in theprocedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 69 of molecular weight435.52 (C₂₆H₂₉NO₅), MS(ESI): 436.32 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLVI

2-Methyl-6-[3-(5-methyl-2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid 70

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materials inthe procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 70 of molecular weight449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.36 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLVII

2-{3-[2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 71

Using methyl 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole as starting materialsin the procedure of Example XXXI, gave the product 71 of molecularweight 465.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₆), MS(ESI): 466.37 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE XLVIII

Methyl-2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoate(72)

At room temperature, 50 mg of a 60% sodium hydride suspension and then1.08 mmol of 2-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole were addedto a solution of 200 mg ofmethyl-2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate (47a) in5 ml of dimethylformamide. After the reaction was monitored by TLC to becomplete (approximately one hour), methyl tert-butyl ether (˜30 ml) wasadded, and the mixture was extracted with water. The organic phase wasdried over magnesium sulfate, the solvents were removed under reducedpressure and the residue was purified by RP-HPLC. This gave 72 as alight-yellow oil. C₂₇H₃₀FNO₅ (467.54), MS(ESI): 468 (M+H⁺).

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxyl]-cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (73)

100 mg of 72 were stirred in a mixture of 10 ml of tert-butanol and 1 mlof 10 N aqueous potassium hydroxide solution at 90° C. After he reactionwas complete according to TLC (up to two days), the mixture wasacidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. Thecombined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulfate, the solventswere removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified byRP-HPLC. This gave, as an amorphous solid, the product 73 of molecularweight 453.52 (C₂₆H₂₈FNO₅), MS(ESI): 454.35 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE IL

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-cyclohexyloxymethy}-6-methylbenzoicacid (74)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 74 of molecularweight 465.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₆), MS(ESI): 466.37 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE L

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (75)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under thesame conditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 75 of molecularweight 503.52 (C₂₇H₂₈F₃NO₅), MS(ESI): 504.37 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LI

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (76)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 76 of molecularweight 469.97 (C₂₆H₂₈ClNO₅), MS(ESI): 470.43 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LII

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (77)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 77 of molecularweight 469.97 (C₂₆H₂₈ClNO₅), MS(ESI): 470.40 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LIII

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Methylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (78)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 78 of molecularweight 449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.53 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LIV

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid 79

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 79 of molecularweight 463.58 (C₂₈H₃₃NO₅), MS(ESI): 464.22 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LV

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (80)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 80 of molecularweight 463.58 (C₂₈H₃₃NO₅), MS(ESI): 464.22 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LVI

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(2-Methylphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (81)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(2-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 81 of molecularweight 449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LVII

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (82)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, underthe same conditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 82 ofmolecular weight 519.52 (C₂₇H₂₈F₃NO₆), MS(ESI): 520.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LVIII

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (83)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazol gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 83 of molecularweight 495.58 (C₂₈H₃₃NO₇), MS(ESI): 496.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LIX

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Cyanophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (84)

13 mg of2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid [prepared from Methyl2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-bromophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazol under the same conditionsas described for 72 and 73] and 25 mg of zinc cyanide were dissolved in5 ml of dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was degassed and chargedwith argon, and 20 mg of tetrakistriphenylphosphinepalladium were added.The mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 12 hours. After cooling to roomtemperature, water was added to the reaction mixture, which was thenextracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were driedover magnesium sulfate, the solvents were removed under reduced pressureand the residue was purified by RP-HPLC. This gave 84 as an amorphouslight-yellow solid. C₂₇H₂₈N₂O₅ (460.53), MS(ESI): 461.20 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LX

2-Methyl-6-[1R,3S-3-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid (85)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-phenyl-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the same conditions asdescribed for 72 and 73, the product 85 of molecular weight 435.52(C₂₆H₂₉NO₅), MS(ESI): 436.32 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXI

2-Methyl-6-[1S,3R-3-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid (86)

Methyl 2-(1S,3R-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate (47b) and2-phenyl-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the same conditions asdescribed for 72 and 73, the product 86 of molecular weight 435.52(C₂₆H₂₉NO₅), MS(ESI): 436.32 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXII

2-Methyl-6-[1R,3S-3-(5-methyl-2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid (87)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 87 of molecularweight 449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.36 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXIII

2-Methyl-6-[1S,3R-3-(5-methyl-2-p-tolyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy)cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoicacid (88)

Methyl 2-(1S,3R-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 88 of molecularweight 449.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₅), MS(ESI): 450.36 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXIV

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (89)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 89 of molecularweight 465.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₆), MS(ESI): 466.37(M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXV

2-{1S,3R-3-[2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (90)

Methyl 2-(1S,3R-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 90 of molecularweight 465.55 (C₂₇H₃₁NO₆), MS(ESI): 466.37(M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXVI

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (91)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(3-bromophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 91 of molecularweight 514.42, (C₂₆H₂₈BrNO₅), MS(ESI): 514.30, 516.30 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXVII

2-{1R,3S-3-[2-(4-Bromophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-ylmethoxy]cyclohexyloxymethyl}-6-methylbenzoicacid (92)

Methyl 2-(1R,3S-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate and2-(4-bromophenyl)-4-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole gave, under the sameconditions as described for 72 and 73, the product 92 of molecularweight 514.42, (C₂₆H₂₈BrNO₅), MS(ESI): 514.29; 516.29 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXVIII

Process:

Methyl-[2-(1S,4R-4-tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxycyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate

8.2 g 1S,4R-4-tert-Butyldimethylsilanyloxycyclopent-2-enol in 20 ml drydimethyl formamide (DMF) are added dropwise under Argon atmosphere at 0°C. to a suspension of 1.6 g 60% NaH in 12 ml dry DMF. Then 20 ml 60%(2-Bromomethyl-6-methy)-methyl-benzoate are added at 0° C. After theaddition is completed the ice-bath is removed and the mixture is stirredat room temperature for 6 h. 200 ml Methyl-t-butyl-ether (MTBE) are thenadded and the organic phase is washed with 200 ml water and 200 ml ofsaturated NaCl-solution. The organic layer is dried over MgSO4 and thesolvents are removed. The remaining residue is purified bychromatography (SiO₂, n-heptane/MTBE 8:1=>3:1), yielding the productMethyl-[2-(1S,4R-4-tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxycyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoateas a yellow oil. C21H32O4Si (376,57), LCMS (ESI): 377 (MH⁺).

Methyl-[2-(1S,4R-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate

To a solution of 2,3 gMethyl-[2-(1S,4R-4-tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxycyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoatein 20 ml THF 10 ml 1 M solution of tetrabutylammoniumfluoride in THF areadded and stirred for 20 min at room temperature. The mixture is dilutedwith 100 ml MTBE and washed 3 times with 100 ml water, then with 50 mlof saturated NaCl-solution. The organic layer is dried over MgSO₄ andthe solvent is removed. The remaining residue is purified bychromatography (SiO₂, n-heptane/MTBE 1:1), yielding the productMethyl-[2-(1S,4R-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoateas a yellowish oil. C₁₅H₁₈₀₄ (262,31). LCMS (ESI): 263 (MH⁺).

Methyl-{2-methyl-6-[1S,4R-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl]}benzoate

300 mgMethyl-[2-(1S,4R-4-Hydroxycyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate,in 2 ml dry DMF are given dropwise under Argon atmosphere to asuspension of 55 mg 60% NaH in 3 ml dry DM. After 20 min of stirring atroom temperature a solution of 320 mg5-Methyl-2-phenyloxazole-4-ylmethylchloride in 1 ml DMF is added. Themixture is stirred for 90 min at room temperature, then 0.5 mlisopropanol are added followed by 20 ml MTBE. The solution is washed 3times with 20 ml water, then with 20 ml of saturated NaCl-solution, theorganic layer is dried over MgSO₄ and the solvents are removed. Theremaining residue is purified by chromatography (SiO₂, n-heptane/MTBE5:1). Fractions containing the product are collected and once moresubmitted to chromatography after removal of the solvents (SiO₂,n-heptane/ethylacetate 10:1), yielding the productMethyl-{2-methyl-6-[1S,4R-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl]}benzoateas a yellowish oil. C₂₅H₂₅NO5 (419,48). LCMS (ESI): 420 (MH⁺).

2-Methyl-6-[1S,4R-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid

60 mgMethyl-{2-methyl-6-[1S,4R-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl]}benzoatein 1 ml 10 M aqueous KOH und 1 ml tert-butanol are stirred for 4 days at100° C. The mixture is diluted with 10 ml water and extracted 3 timeswith 10 ml ethylacetate. The combined organic layers are dried overMgSO4 and the solvents are removed. Purification of the remainingresidue by HPLC yields2-Methyl-6-[1S,4R-4-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclopent-2-enyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid as a colorless oil. C₂₄H₂₃NO₅ (405,45). LCMS (ESI): 406 (MH⁺).

EXAMPLE LXIX 4,5-Dimethyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole 3-oxide

18.4 g of diacetyl monoxime and 29.6 g of 4(2-propyl)-benzaldehyde areadded to 50 ml of glacial acetic acid, and HCl gas is introduced withice-cooling for 30 minutes. The product is precipitated as thehydrochloride by addition of methyl tert-butyl ether and filtered offwith suction, and the precipitate is washed with methyl tert-butylether. The precipitate is suspended in a mixture of dichloromethane andwater, and a basic pH is established using ammonia. The mixture isextracted three times with, in each case, 500 ml of dichloromethane andethyl acetate, the combined organic phases are dried over MgSO₄ and thesolvent is then removed under reduced pressure. This gives 38.2 g4,5-dimethyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole 3-oxide as a yellowishsolid.

C₁₄H₁₇NO₂ (231.3), MS(ESI)=232 (M+H⁺).

4-Chloromethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole

38 g of 4,5-Dimethyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole 3-oxide aredissolved in 200 ml of chloroform, 16.4 ml of phosphorus oxychloride areadded and the mixture is heated under reflux for 30 minutes. Thereaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., a slightly alkaline pH isestablished using ammonia and the mixture is extracted three times within each case 500 ml of ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases arewashed with water and dried over MgSO4 and the solvent is then removedunder reduced pressure. The residue is purified on silica gel using themobile phase n-heptane:ethyl acetate=80:1=>5:1. This gives 10.3 g of4-chloromethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole as a colorlesssolid. C₁₄H₁₆ClNO (249.74), MS(ESI): 250 (M+H⁺).

4-Iodomethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole

1.74 g of 4-Chloromethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole and 3g of sodium iodide in 150 ml of acetone are heated under reflux for 2hours. After the reaction mixture has been cooled, 300 ml of methyltert-butyl ether are added, the mixture is washed three times withsaturated Na₂S₂O₃ solution and dried over MgSO4 and the solvents arethen removed under reduced pressure. This gives 2.64 g of4-iodomethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole as a yellowishsolid. C₁₄H₁₆INO (341.19), MS(ESI): 342 (M+H⁺).

Methyl 2-(cis-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate

8.7 g of 1,3-cyclohexanediol and 12 g of dibutyltin oxide are dissolvedin 600 ml of toluene and, in a water separator, heated under reflux.During the reaction, the reaction volume is reduced to half the originalvolume. After 4 hours, the reaction mixture is cooled to roomtemperature, and 300 ml of DMF, 9.0 g of methyl2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate and 9.4 g of cesium fluoride are added.The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The reactionmixture is diluted by addition of ethyl acetate and washed withsaturated NaCl solution. The organic phase is dried over magnesiumsulfate, the solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residueis purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-heptane/ethylacetate=50:1->1:2). This gives 6 g of methyl2-(cis-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate as an oil.C₁₆H₂₂O₄ (278.35), MS(ESI): 279 (M+H⁺).

The non-reacted trans-1,3-cyclohexanediol can be isolated from thechromatographic column by applying a more polar solvent (ethylacetate+increasing amounts of methanol), and is reacted with sodiumhydride/methyl 2-bromomethyl-6-methylbenzoate in DMF to yield methyl2-(trans-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate. This is used tosynthesize the corresponding trans isomers of the example structures,including chiral chromatography, similar to the method as described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,624,185B2, Example II.

Methyl 2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate

8 g of racemic methyl2-(cis-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate are dissolved in100 ml of vinyl acetate, and 1 g of Candida antartica lipase B is added.The mixture is stirred at room temperature for seven hours and theenzyme is then filtered off and the solvent is removed under reducedpressure. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel(n-heptane/ethyl acetate=10:1). This gives 3.9 g of the alcohol methyl2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate as a colorlessoil. C₁₆H₂₂O₄ (278.35), MS(ESI): 279 (M+H⁺), ee=98% (Chiralpak AD/2250×4.6; n-heptane:ethanol:methanol=25:1:0.5+0.1% trifluoroacetic acid,Rt=8.9 min; retention time of the enantiomer: Rt=9.9 min).

The enantiomer 2-((1S,3R)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoateis generated from the acetate obtained in the chromatography forerunafter saponification and re-methylation, and is used to prepare thecorresponding enantiomeric example structures.

Methyl[2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoate

At room temperature, 50 mg of a 60% strength suspension of sodiumhydride are added to a solution of 200 mg of methyl2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methylbenzoate in 5 ml ofdimethylformamide, and 370 mg of4-Iodomethyl-5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole are then added.After one hour, methyl tert-butyl ether is added and the mixture isextracted with water. The organic phase is dried over magnesium sulfate,the solvents are removed under reduced pressure and the residue ispurified by RP-HPLC. This gives 91 mg methyl[2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoate as a yellow oil.

C₃₀H₃₇NO₅ (491.63), MS(ESI): 492 (M+H⁺).

2-Methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid

90 mg of Methyl[2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]benzoate are stirred at 90° C. in a mixture of 10 ml of tert-butanol and1 ml of 10 N potassium hydroxide solution. The reaction is monitored byTLC. After two days, the mixture is acidified with hydrochloric acid andextracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried overmagnesium sulfate, the solvents are removed under reduced pressure andthe residue is purified by RP-HPLC. This gives 69 mg of2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazole-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid as an amorphous solid. C₂₉H₃₅NO₅ (477.61), MS(ESI): 478 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXX2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid

Analogously to Example LXIX, diacetyl monoxime,4-trifluoromethoxybenzaldehyde and methyl[2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate give2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid.

C₂₇H₂₈F₃NO₆ (519.52), MS(ESI): 520 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXXI2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid

Analogously to Example LXIX, diacetyl monoxime,4-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde and methyl[2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6methyl]benzoate give2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid.

C₂₇H₂₈F₃NO₅ (503.52), MS(ESI): 504 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXXII2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid

Analogously to Example LXIX, diacetyl monoxime,4-methoxy-3-methyl-benzaldehyde and methyl[2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate give2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid.

C₂₈H₃₃NO₆ (479.58), MS(ESI): 480 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXXIII2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid

Analogously to Example LXIX, 2-hydroximino-4-methyl-pentane-3-one,4-methyl-benzaldehyde and methyl[2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate give2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid.

C₂₉H₃₅NO₅ (477.61), MS(ESI): 478 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXXIV2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid

Analogously to Example LXIX, 2-hydroximino-4-methyl-pentane-3-one,3-methoxy-benzaldehyde and methyl[2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6-methyl]benzoate give2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid.

C₂₉H₃₅NO₆ (493.61), MS(ESI): 494 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE LXXV2-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methylbenzoic acid

Analogously to Example LXIX, 2-hydroximino-pentane-3-one,4-methyl-benzaldehyde and methyl[2-((1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyloxymethyl)-6methyl]benzoate give2-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methylbenzoic acid.

C₂₈H₃₃NO₅ (463.58). MS(ESI): 464 (M+H⁺).

While the invention has been described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments so that aspects thereof may be more fullyunderstood and appreciated, it is not intended to limit the invention tothese particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to coverall alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be includedwithin the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A compound of formula I

in which Ring A is (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl; R1, R2, R4, R5, independently ofone another, are H, F, Cl, Br, OH, NO₂, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl orO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl; R3 is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; X is (C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, inthe alkyl group, one carbon atom is replaced by an oxygen atom; and Y is(C₁-C₂)-alkyl where, in the alkyl group, one carbon atom is replaced byan oxygen atom; or a physiologically acceptable salt of a compound offormula
 1. 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Ring A iscyclohexyl; R1, R2, R4, R5 are, independently of one another, H, F, Cl,Br, OH, NO₂, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and R3 isH or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein R1, R2,R4, R5 are, independently of one another, H, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl orO—(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and R3 is H or CH₃.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim3, wherein R1 is H, CF₃, OCF₃, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or O—(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; R2, R3,R4 are, independently of one another, H or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and R5 is H orCH₃.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 4, wherein R1 is CF₃, OCF₃, OCH₃;or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; R2, R3 are, independently of one another, H or CH₃; R4is (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and R5 is H or CH₃.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim5, wherein R1 is CF₃, or OCF₃ R4 is CH₃; and R5 is CH₃.
 7. A compound asclaimed in claim 5, wherein R1 is OCH₃; or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; R4 is(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; and R5 is CH₃.
 8. A compound as claimed in claim 7,wherein R1 is CH₃; and R4 is (C₂-C₃)-alkyl.
 9. A compound as claimed inclaim 7, wherein R1 is OCH₃; and R4 is CH₃ or C₃-alkyl.
 10. A compoundas claimed in claim 7, wherein R1 is C₃-alkyl; and R4 is CH₃.
 11. Acompound as claimed in claimed in claim 1 wherein the compound is chosenfrom:2-Methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid;2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid;2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid;2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid;2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid;2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid;2-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methylbenzoic acid; and a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 12.2-Methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-(2-propyl)-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 13.2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 14.2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 15.2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-5-methyl-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 16.2-methyl-6-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-benzoicacid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 17.2-[(1R,3S)-3-(2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-5-(2-propyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methyl-benzoicacid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. 18.2-[(1R,3S)-3-(5-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-cyclohexyloxymethyl]-6-methylbenzoic acid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. Apharmaceutical, comprising: at least one compound as claimed in claim 1;at least one further active compound; and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.
 20. A pharmaceutical, comprising: at least one compound asclaimed in claim 1; at least one lipid- or triglyceride-lowering activecompound; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 21. A method oftreating a lipid metabolism disorder, comprising: administering to ahost in need of such treatment an effective amount of at least onecompound as claimed in claim
 1. 22. A method of treating type IIdiabetes, comprising: administering to a host in need of such treatmentan effective amount of at least one compound as claimed in claim
 1. 23.A method of treating syndrome X, comprising: administering to a host inneed of such treatment an effective amount of at least one compound asclaimed in claim
 1. 24. A method of treating disturbed glucosetolerance, comprising: administering to a host in need of such treatmentan effective amount of at least one compound as claimed in claim
 1. 25.A method of treating eating disorders, comprising: administering to ahost in need of such treatment an effective amount of at least onecompound as claimed in claim
 1. 26. A method of treating obesity,comprising: administering to a host in need of such treatment aneffective amount of at least one compound as claimed in claim
 1. 27. Amethod of treating cardiomyopathy, comprising: administering to a hostin need of such treatment an effective amount of at least one compoundas claimed in claim
 1. 28. A method of treating cardiac insufficiency,comprising: administering to a host in need of such treatment aneffective amount of at least one compound as claimed in claim
 1. 29. Amethod of treating osteoporosis, comprising: administering to a host inneed of such treatment an effective amount of at least one compound asclaimed in claim
 1. 30. A method of treating atherosclerosis,comprising: administering to a host in need of such treatment aneffective amount of at least one compound as claimed in claim
 1. 31. Amethod of treating Alzheimer's disease, comprising: administering to ahost in need of such treatment an effective amount of at least onecompound as claimed in claim
 1. 32. A method of treating inflammation,comprising: administering to a host in need of such treatment aneffective amount of at least one compound as claimed in claim
 1. 33. Themethod of treating a lipid metabolism disorder of claim 21, furthercomprising administering to a host in need of such treatment aneffective amount of at least one further active compound.
 34. The methodof treating type II diabetes of claim 22, further comprisingadministering to a host in need of such treatment an effective amount ofat least one further active compound.
 35. The method of treatingsyndrome X of claim 23, further comprising administering to a host inneed of such treatment an effective amount of at least one furtheractive compound.
 36. A process for preparing a pharmaceutical,comprising: mixing at least one compound as claimed in claim 1 with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier to form a mixture; and bringing thismixture into a form suitable for administration to form thepharmaceutical.